I'm sure many remember those model wonders of the recently-defunct ? company: 21st Century Toys, who put out various scales of pre-made / painted aircraft and armor. They also put out 1/32 scale aircraft kits which one could build themselves. I picked-up a Macchi-202 and an A6M3 Zero for $9.00 a- piece which I found at Wal-Mart during a sale.
Anyway, was just curious what other modelers here thought about those kits?
I actually enjoyed them because it left room for the modeler to improve & detail with little effort to make a decent display, plus the plastic used to inject the molds with is sturdy & durable, which is a "plus" when accidental bumps-thumps and inquisitive grandkids happen.
Not quite sure what happened to 21st Century, but I was disappointed when they canceled making that 1/18 scale USAF F-4 Phantom, an aircraft which both my wife and I have had actual experience with. It was one of the models which my wife was actually going to sanction being displayed hanging from the ceiling in our living room-LOL!
21st Century 1/32 Macchi-202
Joseph,
Gregory Jouette (also a Veteran
) built two 21st Century Toys C.202s (veterans think alike ). These kits are pretty nice, here are the links:
http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArti ... GJ_1a.html
http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArti ... GJ_2a.html
btw did you work on a F-4?
Gregory Jouette (also a Veteran
) built two 21st Century Toys C.202s (veterans think alike ). These kits are pretty nice, here are the links:http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArti ... GJ_1a.html
http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArti ... GJ_2a.html
btw did you work on a F-4?
F-4 Phantom
Hello Vince, how are you?
My wife was a Jet Engine Mechanic on the F-4E and the F-16 when she was in. As for myself, I was a Hydraulics Specialist / Boom Operator on the KC-135 Tanker / Re-fueler Jet.
We occasionally had Phantoms get re-fueled by us when they were still in the USAF inventory and Luftwaffe F-4Js when they were doing joint exercises with the USAF. I have a really great close-up of an F-111 coming in for some fuel. The really great photos / experience is when something like a C-5 Galaxy comes in to be re-fueled. My Air Force career involved Logistics and Aviation Maintenance. I was also in the US Army as a 19K & 19K (M60A3 and M1 Abrams Tanker) for 8-yrs. prior to my Air Force days / years (I was career military).
Now I'm retired but still looking for a career. I've got a Bachelors in Environmental Science and a Masters in Educational Leadership. "Any job-openings in Canada?"
By the way, saw that 1/32 G.55 on Pacific Front Models; what a mecca for outstanding AXIS kits / accessories! Thanks! I even saw a 1/48 scale Ba.88 Lince' as well.
Thanks for that info! Well better go for now; our Grandchild just arrived.
Take Care Joseph
My wife was a Jet Engine Mechanic on the F-4E and the F-16 when she was in. As for myself, I was a Hydraulics Specialist / Boom Operator on the KC-135 Tanker / Re-fueler Jet.
We occasionally had Phantoms get re-fueled by us when they were still in the USAF inventory and Luftwaffe F-4Js when they were doing joint exercises with the USAF. I have a really great close-up of an F-111 coming in for some fuel. The really great photos / experience is when something like a C-5 Galaxy comes in to be re-fueled. My Air Force career involved Logistics and Aviation Maintenance. I was also in the US Army as a 19K & 19K (M60A3 and M1 Abrams Tanker) for 8-yrs. prior to my Air Force days / years (I was career military).
Now I'm retired but still looking for a career. I've got a Bachelors in Environmental Science and a Masters in Educational Leadership. "Any job-openings in Canada?"
By the way, saw that 1/32 G.55 on Pacific Front Models; what a mecca for outstanding AXIS kits / accessories! Thanks! I even saw a 1/48 scale Ba.88 Lince' as well.
Thanks for that info! Well better go for now; our Grandchild just arrived.
Take Care Joseph
Macchi-202s
Great Work on those Macchi-202s!!!
That's some experience you had with the US Army and Airforce - you must have loved it. You even got to ride in an M1 ! I still don't understand why the Canadian Armed Froces passed on an offer from the Pentagon to use M1s - for basically free ! Instead we paid for expensive Leopards through the tax-payers teeth. Anyway, I always enjoy the stories of veterens. When I was down at Clear Lake TX for about a year, across the street from JSC, I'd regularly run into pilots and persons involved in the space program (and WWII) - it was incredible (fond memories !).
! I still don't understand why the Canadian Armed Froces passed on an offer from the Pentagon to use M1s - for basically free ! Instead we paid for expensive Leopards through the tax-payers teeth. Anyway, I always enjoy the stories of veterens. When I was down at Clear Lake TX for about a year, across the street from JSC, I'd regularly run into pilots and persons involved in the space program (and WWII) - it was incredible (fond memories !).-
modeldad
- Comandante di Stormo
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- Location: Massachusetts, USA
21st Century is out of business. They relied too much on WalMart as their outlet and suffered greatly when WalMart cut out models and toys like those made by 21st Century.
Sadly I traded my Mc 202 and have never been able to replace it.
While they were usually a bubble off in terms of accuracy, they were a fun kit. I still have the 109F, Stuka, Zero and Corsair. At $10, they were a real bargain.
Sadly I traded my Mc 202 and have never been able to replace it.
While they were usually a bubble off in terms of accuracy, they were a fun kit. I still have the 109F, Stuka, Zero and Corsair. At $10, they were a real bargain.
Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman
-
m.lacivita
- Comandante di Gruppo
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- Location: Pescara, Italy
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David Elvy
- Pilota
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- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:38 pm
In the UK there was a huge stock of kits snapped up by a discount retailer who put them on the shelves for £1.99 a go. Naturally there was something of a feeding frenzy with modellers walking out of the shops with half a dozen at a time.
My view on them is that they were surprisingly good for the money and build up into impressive models. The decals are exceptional.
My view on them is that they were surprisingly good for the money and build up into impressive models. The decals are exceptional.
1/32 scale 21st Centurys
Yeah, no more of those bargains to be had on the 21st Century kits & models. I remember the days when you could actually get a wide variety of decent model kits from places like Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart and many other type retail stores, but those days are gone as well. Even when I was in the military, one could get really great kits at the Military Exchange / BX for fantastic prices, but even those places don't really carry model kits anymore. 
Joseph
Joseph
Canadian Leopards
Hello Vince; how are you?
Yes, the whole M1 Abrams development history is interesting to say the least. I'm sure it has vastly improved from the M1 IPs w/ 105 mm cannon (Initial Production models) which we got when the Army converted from M60A3s to the new M1s. Personally, I didn't like the M1 at first until the M1A1 came out which i had little time on before getting out of the Army. The newer M1A2s I'm sure are totally something new.
When I was stationed in Germany, we would periodically train along side the Bundeswier Armored units(not quite sure about the spelling / sorry). They had the 105 mm-armed Leopards which were decent tanks from what I observed. They also had that anti-tank "Kanone" which look like it rolled right out of time from WW-2 into the then present day.
Joseph
Yes, the whole M1 Abrams development history is interesting to say the least. I'm sure it has vastly improved from the M1 IPs w/ 105 mm cannon (Initial Production models) which we got when the Army converted from M60A3s to the new M1s. Personally, I didn't like the M1 at first until the M1A1 came out which i had little time on before getting out of the Army. The newer M1A2s I'm sure are totally something new.
When I was stationed in Germany, we would periodically train along side the Bundeswier Armored units(not quite sure about the spelling / sorry). They had the 105 mm-armed Leopards which were decent tanks from what I observed. They also had that anti-tank "Kanone" which look like it rolled right out of time from WW-2 into the then present day.
Joseph
Re: Canadian Leopards
Hi Joseph, the Pentagon offered the Canadian Armed Forces the M1 (I believe the first batch upgraded to the M1A1 standard) at about $100,000 USD/copy (it was an incredible deal and the troops wanted it). The idea was to equip both forces with similar equipment (a sensible idea since we're not going to war with each other anytime soon and no need for sepaparte suppliers). But the Chiefs at the Canadian Armed Forces deceided it would be a better idea to use a German tank at $1.5MM USD/copy?
Typical
How typical.
I'm sure the Canadian Government like the US Government encourages it's citizens to not be wasteful / conserve resources, yet the powers-that-be in both countries seem to not follow the rules of their own game plan books when it comes to spending monies.
Just think of the monies that could be saved in parts / munitions / shipping by having the maker of your tanks right next door to you. America (the government) too has a bad habit of funding and / or spending way too much money on "Fool's Errands" and other asinine projects that amount to zip while neglecting other urgent needs, research and projects.
On another note, I went ahead and got the 1/32 G.55 Torpedo up-grade kit for my G.55. While doing research on that version of the Centauro, I noticed that FW-190s also would carry torpedoes for anti-shipping missions. I used to have a Hasegawa 1/48 scale Stuka w / resin torpedo package which I later regretted selling to a friend of mine. No big thing though, because I ended up getting the Hasegawa Stuka "Tank Buster" in both 1/48 & 1/32 scale. Wish Hasegawa would come back out with those 1/48 Henschel 129s w / the anti-tank cannon. I have the old ESCI Hs.129 which isn't too bad of a build.
Joseph
I'm sure the Canadian Government like the US Government encourages it's citizens to not be wasteful / conserve resources, yet the powers-that-be in both countries seem to not follow the rules of their own game plan books when it comes to spending monies.
Just think of the monies that could be saved in parts / munitions / shipping by having the maker of your tanks right next door to you. America (the government) too has a bad habit of funding and / or spending way too much money on "Fool's Errands" and other asinine projects that amount to zip while neglecting other urgent needs, research and projects.
On another note, I went ahead and got the 1/32 G.55 Torpedo up-grade kit for my G.55. While doing research on that version of the Centauro, I noticed that FW-190s also would carry torpedoes for anti-shipping missions. I used to have a Hasegawa 1/48 scale Stuka w / resin torpedo package which I later regretted selling to a friend of mine. No big thing though, because I ended up getting the Hasegawa Stuka "Tank Buster" in both 1/48 & 1/32 scale. Wish Hasegawa would come back out with those 1/48 Henschel 129s w / the anti-tank cannon. I have the old ESCI Hs.129 which isn't too bad of a build.
Joseph